Following a demand by the armed forces, the Government has removed the cap of Rs 10,000 per month on education assistance to children of martyrs and those disabled in action. The cap was introduced last year. There are more than 3,200 students availing of scholarships up to graduation level. The annual cost to exchequer for this purpose is Rs 4 crore. The scheme was introduced after 1971 India-Pakistan war.
The cap of Rs 10,000 was introduced in July last year leading to discontent in the armed forces.
The Chiefs of Staff Committee comprising the Army, Navy and the Air Force chiefs, had also written to the defence ministry requesting it to remove the cap. Nearly 250 students were affected during the current financial year following the Government’s decision to cap the assistance.
Announcing the decision to revert to the old system where the entire tuition fees and other related expenses of the children of martyrs was borne by the Government up to graduation including MBBS and Engineering courses, the Defence Ministry said here on Thursday the Government has decided to continue education concession without the cap of Rs 10,000.
Officials said the defence ministry had followed up the case with the Finance Ministry twice in this regard and it agreed. The concession will be admissible for undertaking studies in Government or Government aided schools, military and sainik schools and other schools or colleges recognised by the Central or State Governments including the autonomous organisations financed entirely by the State or Central Governments.